The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-08
order, THE SPLINTER.
Supposed To Be the Same Professional Who
Has Worked Several Towns.

Brown. one of the losers on the foot-race
at Athletic Park. Wednesday morning, who was
arrested for drawing a revolver during the ex-
element did not show ND in the Mayors court
yesterday morning, and his bond was forfeited.
He left the city few hours after his release
with number of friends who had dropped sew.
eral years savings so suddenly. "Crider and
Roberts," said a member of South Pennsyl-
vania-street business firm to Journal reporter,
yesterday, "are partners, and have worked this
country from end to the other They are
getting rich. and will continue to make money
until one or the other gets killed by an rate loser
l wasn't at the race here. but from the descrip-
ton of the men l am satisfied they are the same
fellows / encountered number of times when
was on the road. remember two years ago
l was in Princeton, this State. for several
weeks One day a stranger came into the town
and claimed to be runner. He went into
training, he said. for race that was to come off
in another State After he had been there a
few days another fellow appeared and made the
acquaintance OF the Splinter He was also a
sport and wanted to get up race there He
said he could bring the fastest runner in the
United States there within twenty-foEr hours,
and finally a race was arranged. The evening
before 1t was to occur the noted runner appeared
in the town and pretended that he wanted his
presence kept secret. Runner No paid no
know that he had arrived. When the hour came
for the race to come off there was
much excitement, and there was much betting.
with the odds in favor of the big man, who had
been about the town for month The bets
were not large enough. however, to suit the
sports, and after several starts had been made it
was decided to postpone the race ntil the follow
ing day. There was more excitement than ever
the mex day, and when the race fnaleucame off
several thousand dollars was up. The race re-
suited just as it did here. and there came near
being riot over the stake-money, but the win
ner's friends finally got away with it He left
town by the first train and was followed by his
partner to Vincennes a few DAYS afrerward
where the same game was played. The same
year they worked half-dozen southern Indiana
towns and then went West Last year
struck them in Miamisbure, O., and was
told that the two have their home there
Persons who knew them told me they have
travelled together for several years and in the
majority of places they have appeared, the peo-
pie have not realized that they are partners in
the scheme They very seldom race in a town
where they work up interest. but 20 quietly
to some point and do their work so neatly that
those who get bit do not realize what has trans
splred until it is too late Their best plan have
been told by those who know them is to each
take turn, work up backing. and then meet at
half way point they did here have never
heard of but the two men following the business
and there can be but little doubt about Roberts
and Order being the same fellows who did ur
southern Indiana neatly, though they gave
other names there"